Business

Walmart sees the future and it's all about online

The world's largest retailer plans only 25 new U.S. stores in 2019, but it will add more curbside locations for online pickups, and may even stock your fridge.

By ANNE D'INNOCENZIO and MICHELLE CHAPMANAP Business Writers

NEW YORK — Walmart is all about online, anticipating digital sales next fiscal year will rise about 40 percent and that it will double the number of U.S. curbside locations for online grocery shoppers at its stores.

But the world's largest retailer continues to scale back new store growth in the U.S., with plans to open only 25 in its fiscal year 2019, which ends January 2019. That compares with opening 230 new U.S. stores during fiscal 2016.